Utah Gutter and Flashing Services

Where Most Utah Roof Leaks Begin

Most roof leaks do not start in the open field of shingles. They begin at the seams: valleys, chimneys, vents, walls, and roof edges, where flashing and gutters do the real work of directing water away from the structure. When those details fail, water finds its way in even though the shingles look fine.

In Utah the job is harder than in most states. Snow piles up and melts during the day, then refreezes at night, creating ice dams that force water back up under the roof edge. Spring and summer bring heavy bursts of rain that overwhelm clogged or undersized gutters. Keeping your flashing sealed and your gutters flowing is one of the most cost effective ways to protect the entire roof and everything below it.

The encouraging part is that gutter and flashing work costs far less than the roof and interior repairs it prevents. A modest investment in moving water correctly protects the shingles, the decking, the fascia boards, and even the foundation all at once, which is why it is some of the best money a Utah homeowner can spend on the roof.

Types of Roof Flashing We Install in Utah

Flashing is not one thing, it is a system of metal pieces, each protecting a different weak point. When we inspect or repair a roof we check all of them, because a single failed piece can leak.

• ✓Valley flashing, which channels the large volume of water where two roof planes meet
• ✓Step flashing, layered along walls and dormers to keep water out of the siding joint
• ✓Chimney flashing, including base, step, and counter flashing sealed into the masonry
• ✓Vent and pipe boots that seal around plumbing vents and exhaust penetrations
• ✓Drip edge along eaves and rakes, which directs water into the gutter and protects the fascia
• ✓Apron and headwall flashing where a roof meets a vertical wall above it

• ✓Gutter guards to reduce debris and clogging
• ✓Fascia and soffit protection from overflow damage
• ✓Heat cable for problem eaves and valleys

Ice Dams in Utah and How to Stop Them

An ice dam forms when heat escaping through the roof melts the snow on the upper, warmer part of the roof. That meltwater runs down to the cold eaves, refreezes, and builds a ridge of ice. As more snow melts, the water pools behind the dam and works its way under the shingles and into the home, staining ceilings and damaging insulation.

The most effective fixes address the cause, not just the symptom. Proper attic insulation and ventilation keep the roof deck cold so snow melts evenly. An ice and water barrier under the shingles at the eaves and valleys blocks any water that does back up. For roofs with chronic problem spots, heat cable along the eaves and in valleys keeps a channel open for meltwater to drain. We assess your roof and recommend the combination that makes sense for your home.